'Death In Paradise' spin-off 'Return To Paradise' begins filming in Australia

Production has commenced on the Australian spin-off of Death In Paradise, titled 'Return to Paradise'.

Filming is taking in various locations across Sydney and the Illawarra coastal region. The six-part series is produced by BBC Studios Productions Australia with Red Planet Pictures for the ABC in association with the BBC.

Anna Sampson stars as the franchise’s first lead female detective, Mackenzie Clarke. She is joined by Lloyd Griffith, Tai Hara, Catherine McClements, Celia Ireland, Andrea Demetriades, and Aaron McGrath.

Return To Paradise follows DI Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson), an Australian ex-pat who’s made a name for herself in London’s Metropolitan Police for cracking uncrackable murder cases. When she is accused of tampering with evidence, Mackenzie returns to her hometown of Dolphin Cove, Australia. Having left the town six years ago, leaving her ex- fiancée Glenn (Tai Hara) at the altar, Mackenzie is not welcome there.

But with no other job options, and a unique talent for solving a mystery, no matter how challenging, a reluctant Mack joins the team at Dolphin Cove Police Station. Once a case lands on her desk, she can’t rest until she’s figured it out, and the killer is in handcuffs. It’s that tenacity and work ethic that might just, over time, help Mackenzie win over her new colleagues, and the people of Dolphin Cove.

In a statement, co-creator and executive producer Peter Mattessi says: “We are having so much fun creating this brand-new mystery series that brings an Australian twist to one of the globe’s most successful television franchises. We think audiences in Australia, UK and around the world are going to fall in love with our wonderful characters, our delicious whodunits, and our gorgeous coastal Australian locations.”

Return To Paradise is co-created and executive produced by Mattessi, James Hall and Robert Thorogood. The producer is Di Haddon. Executive producers for BBC Studios Productions Australia are Kylie Washington and Warren Clarke, for Red Planet Pictures are Belinda Campbell and Tim Key and for ABC are Rachel Okine and Brett Sleigh.